Saleofcar.com :MG

MG MGA (1957)
for sale

Price: US $1,000.00

Description:

1957 MG MGA 2-Door Convertible
My bad back is your opportunity. Bring a big trailer, because a lot more than just a great car is included in this sale (e.g. welder, extra parts & body panels, tools, tool chest & cabinet, etc.).
Don't let its looks deceive you. This is a great car worthy of continuing to restore. Admittedly, this MGA is not a candidate for a concourse-level restoration, but could be a wonderful and fun weekend driver. Despite the cosmetic work that needs to be done, the car is mechanically sound. It starts, runs and drives well. It has a lot of new parts and repair work done, but needs painting, body work and reassembly of body quarter-panels (wings), fenders, bright work, etc. Depending on your level of restoration, other needs include: convertible top fabric (frame is included), refurbish the seats, interior carpets, misc trim, connect gauges, etc. Exact mileage is unknown as the speedometer has been disconnected for who knows how long. This MGA will be a great, rewarding and fun project car to enjoy on weekends and sunny day drives.
This MGA is a great restoration project already in progress. It may not look like it from the pictures, but much of the expensive and difficult work has been completed (e.g. new door body sills and B pillars, new rear suspension springs, bushings and fasteners, new gas tank, refurbished drum brakes and master cylinder, etc.) Despite the cosmetic work that needs to be done, the car is mechanically sound. It runs and drives well with very sharp steering, a tight transmission, and it stops as good as you would expect a car with drum brakes at all 4 corners. This MGA includes: original knock-off spoke wheels, wooden Moto-Lito steering wheel, original Jaeger and Smiths gauges, convertible top assembly, original full set of steel wings (highly desirable, but in need of TLC) AND a full set fiberglass wings (rear wings are new-in-box), Trophy stainless exhaust (new-in-box), new rocker panels (L&R to be installed), 12-mos new battery (always on a conditioner).
This MGA had the engine and transmission replaced at some point in its life and now has a simple, yet reliable Nissan A14 (1.4L) 4-cyl engine with a very solid 5-speed (Reverse at top-left) transmission installed. The A14 engine was produced 1975-2007 and parts are readily available. (A side note for those interested: There are quite a lot of go-fast parts available for A14 engines.) As it is, the engine runs pretty smooth (once warm), does not smoke, but as with any carbureted engine, it needs to be tuned to your elevation for optimal performance. Almost every week I start up and run the engine for a few minutes to keep everything lubed and to prevent fluids from gumming up the engine, hoses and carburetor.
NOTES: The picture of the car, when still mostly intact in the garage is when I brought it home. Once home, I immediately dissembled and started the restoration work. Unless it's obvious where they belong, most parts taken off I put in labeled bags or boxes. The 2 pictures of the car in the fall colors was, I believe after its restoration in the 80's. In the other pictures, you can see I started removing the paint. It looks rough, but it's just the different layers of fillers, primers and paints from the past almost 60 years. I have kept etching primer on the areas I have sanded down to metal. After the time spent, I personally believe hiring a professional using a high pressure baking soda slurry or dry ice sprayers to remove the paint would be well worth the money. While there is pitting in some areas, for a 59 year old body, there is relatively little rust. As with any 50+ year old car, a high quality body filler will be required.
ALSO INCLUDED with the sale:
- MG 1600 engine (completely dissembled and missing parts. engine ID: 16GA/U/1762) and MG 4-spd transmission (missing parts). I'm not sure if either are viable, but a purist might give them a go, or you could sell off the parts. Some are quite expensive if bought new.- New parts still in boxes/packaging (body panels, rear fiberglass wings, tail lamps, bright work, Trophy stainless exhaust, nuts, bolts, ...). - Spare parts (expensive parts): 1 extra set of doors, 1 extra aluminum bonnet (engine hood), 1 full extra set of wings (your choice: original steel or aftermarket fiberglass), misc body panels (new and old), Jaeger gauges, misc MG 1600 engine parts, etc.- Nearly new Eastwood 135 MIG welder with stand, protective helmet, 16ga & 18ga sheet steel, welding paint, misc accessories.- Misc tools, 2-pair car stands, seem sealer, clamps and more clamps, standing Craftsman tool box (see pic), and a tool/storage/work bench (see pic). The extra tools, parts and accessories should be very close enough to finish the car on your own.- A couple of MGA restoration/workshop manuals and historical books.- NOTE: Selling the extra parts included in this sale, some of which are highly sought after, could go a long way towards this completing this car.
HISTORY
of the car as I know it:Per the VIN, the car was manufactured as a US-spec, left-hand drive, 2-door convertible, with a 1500 engine, and was painted Old English White. That's about all the VIN tells us. I suspect it was in the early 80's, the car was 'restored' and was then painted red. I think that was also when the engine was swapped out for the Nissan A-14 and 5-speed transmission. When I bought the car, I was given pictures of the car taken in the 80's and it was beautiful (the two fall pictures of the car). It eventually made its way to Texas, where I bought it. And now it's in the dry air of New Mexico; waiting for completion of this face-lift and to be enjoyed again.
SHIPPING:
Buyer must arrange and pay for shipping / transport of vehicle and all other items included in this sale
_{update: 2016-02-06}